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Events Human Rights Report Launch This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More National Speech Competition On International Human Rights Day (10 December), SUARAM held the Safe in Custody National Speech Competition, where 8 participants presented their strong, well-researched speeches and wowed the crowd with their vigour for human rights! Read More SIC Music Festival This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More

< Back National Speech Competition On International Human Rights Day (10 December), SUARAM held the Safe in Custody National Speech Competition, where 8 participants presented their strong, well-researched speeches and wowed the crowd with their vigour for human rights! Under the #SafeInCustody Project, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) hosted a national speech competition for university students during the International Day of Human Rights. This competition was held pursuant to objective 3 of the Project. It presents a unique opportunity for young minds to become catalysts of change, using the power of their words to reshape public perceptions and attitudes towards police torture. By harnessing their passion, knowledge, and eloquence, participants will address the urgent need for reform, challenge existing narratives, and propose tangible actions to ensure the protection of human rights. One winner will be chosen from this national level speech competition to move on to the regional level speech competition, alongside the other national speech competition winners from Thailand and Philippines respectively. The regional competition will be managed together alongside our other partners, namely the Cross-Cultural Foundation (CrCF) from Thailand and by the Taskforce Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) from the Philippines, including the overall coordination by the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT). The competition also serves as a platform to showcase and amplify the impactful artwork produced in the previous years' creative art activities held in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. By integrating the arts into the event, we not only provide a powerful visual representation of the issue at hand but also offer a space for artists to convey their messages and invoke emotions that transcend language barriers. Power in Numbers ​ Programs ​ Locations ​ Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

Campaign Materials RIGHT TO TRIAL Read More RIGHT TO JUSTICE Read More PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT Read More FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Read More

Contact Us Internships Volunteering SUARAM welcomes individuals to join us as volunteers. Volunteers can assist SUARAM during our events or programmes. Volunteers are also required to assist with monitoring and urgent action teams during peaceful assemblies. ​ For those interested, email us at suaram@suaram.net with the email title Volunteering with SUARAM. ​ *Please take note! Volunteers would be given due training and briefing prior to participating and assisting with any SUARAM programme. Vacancies There are currently no vacancies available. Please check back in future or take a look at SUARAM social media for any update. ​

Events SUARAM's Annual Human Rights Report 2023 While providing a comprehensive overview of the country's human rights landscape, this report also serves as a critical reflection on the human rights performance of the MADANI government within its first year in power. Read more our press statement during the launch: - Press Statement HRR 2023 - Kenyataan Media HRR 2023 - Full Report HRR 2023 SUARAM's Annual Human Rights Report 2023 Keynote Speech If I were to use one short sentence to describe the state of human rights and reform in the country in 2023 under the unity government, it would be this: we are in limbo. ​ On one hand, some promising steps were taken. We have seen, arguably, one of the biggest milestones achieved in recent years – which was the passing of the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Bill 2023 (DR7) and the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Bill 2023. Commendable efforts are underway to draft the Ombudsman Bill and consult with various stakeholders on the Freedom of Information Bill. Efforts were made to empower the parliamentary special select committees to oversee decisions made by the respective government ministries. Amendments to the SUHAKAM Act were also passed to improve diversity in background of Commissioners and set up a tribunal to investigate alleged violations of code of conduct. Other positive strides include the passing of three Bills to decriminalise suicide, amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act to improve protection of children from sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as amendments to the Evidence of Child Witness Act to better protect child witnesses in the criminal justice system. Malaysia has also been steadfast and vocal in our opposition against the atrocities in Gaza by Israel at the international stage. This is also the case on the ground. SUARAM documented at least 15 peaceful assemblies in solidarity with Palestine held in Kuala Lumpur and seven other states, with the police abiding by their duty to facilitate many of these assemblies. On the other hand, the government is still implementing laws, policies and mindsets inherited from previous administrations. Draconian laws passed before SUARAM came into being – the Sedition Act in 1948, the Printing Presses and Publications Act in 1984, and the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act in 1985 – are still in place to this day. The ‘no permit, illegal assembly’ mindset remains pervasive within the police force, which continuously perpetuate curtails to the fundamental right to peaceful assembly. Issues that some members in the current government championed, including current Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when in opposition, saw stagnant progress, and in some cases, even regression. Despite stakeholder engagements held over five months in 2023, there have been no updates on when amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) will be tabled. Even worse, for the first time, SOSMA was used to arrest and detain drug syndicate members, which is concerning when existing laws such as the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 are adequate. There is still no commitment by the current administration to improve the Independent Police Conduct Commission Act 2022 (IPCC) – which is ironic when many one of the pledges by the Pakatan Harapan coalition in its election manifesto in 2022. Let us not forget the Universities and University Colleges Act, otherwise known as AUKU, which was used even recently against Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he was still opposition leader so that he could not speak on campus in the University of Malaya. And yet, the current government under his leadership only committed to amending certain provisions. These amendments are still problematic, as they do not address the fundamental issue of executive interference in university administration. They also ignore the fact that AUKU cannot be salvaged, as it was originally created in the 1970s to cripple the student movement. Other crucial reforms, such as separation of the offices of the Attorney-General and the Public Prosecutor, malapportionment, constituency development fund for the political opposition, political appointments in government-linked companies and the reinstatement of local government elections, remain pending. An unjustifiable ultimatum almost came to reality, trading the wellbeing and rights of stateless persons for citizenship conferral rights for Malaysian mothers. As much as the Home Ministry may have finally decided this year to not proceed with amendments that will threaten existing constitutional safeguards for stateless persons, a proposal as cruel as this should not have emerged in the first place. We recognise that reform needs time, but we should not need to wait for 60 years to see reforms come to reality, like how the Rakyat had to before a change of government finally took place in 2018. For the reform envisioned back in 1998 to remain true to its course, the government must fully practise the reformist mindset. In fact, with the current political stability, there are no more excuses but to do so. Unconditionally adhere to the much-preached MADANI values of inclusivity, accountability, integrity and respect for all, and incorporate them at all levels of policymaking including consultations with civil society. Discard without hesitation the problematic narrative that human rights are a Western concept and that they should be subjected to local customs and values. By Sevan Doraisamy, Executive Director of SUARAM By The Chapter (A Mini-Series) Watch a brief interview with our external authors for additional chapters in the SUARAM HRR Report 2023 Part 1 — Corruption and Governance This series aims to shed light on some of what’s inside SUARAM’s Human Rights Report for the year of 2023. For Part 1—“Corruption and Governance”— we speak to the author of the chapter, Prishanth Linggaraj of C4 (@c4.center), on his views and hopes on the field of this additional chapter in our annual report. Bahagian 2 - Pilihan Raya Bebas dan Adil Siri ini bertujuan untuk berkongsi sedikit kandungan dalam laporan Hak Asasi Manusia SUARAM bagi tahun 2023. Bagi Bahagian 2 ini, kami telah menemu bual penulis bab tersebut, Asraf Sharafi dari BERSIH (@bersihmsia ), berkenaan pandangan dan harapannya dalam bahagian tambahan laporan tahunan ini. Part 3 — Climate Emergency ​ This series aims to shed light on some of what’s inside SUARAM’s Human Rights Report for the year of 2023. ​ For Part 3—“Climate Emergency”—we speak to the author of the chapter, Ili Nadiah of Klima Action Malaysia or KAMY (@klimaaction ), on her views and hopes on the field of this additional chapter in our annual report. Part 4 — Regressive Citizenship Amendments (Special Feature) This series aims to shed light on some of what’s inside SUARAM’s Human Rights Report for the year of 2023. For Part 4—“Regressive Citizenship Amendments”—we speak to the author of the chapter, Maalini Ramalo of Development of Human Resources for Rural Areas (DHRRA) Malaysia (@dhrramalaysia ), on her views and hopes on the field of this special feature in our annual report. Bahagian 5 - Kebebasan Beragama dan Kepercayaan Siri ini bertujuan untuk berkongsi sedikit kandungan dalam laporan Hak Asasi Manusia SUARAM bagi tahun 2023. Bagi Bahagian 5 ini, kami telah menemu bual penulis bab tersebut, Hisham Muhaimi dari INITIATE.MY (@initiate.my ), berkenaan pandangan dan harapannya dalam bahagian tambahan laporan tahunan ini.

OUR TEAM JOIN US K.Arumugam Board of Directors Sevan Doraisamy Executive Director Wong Yan Ke Case Management & Campaign Coordinator Azura Nasron Programme Manager Farida Mohd Board of Directors Diane Savari Board of Directors Jernell Tan Documentation & Monitoring Coordinator Puvenes Yuvarajan Administration & Finance Coordinator Amirah Haziqah Senior Program Coordinator Divya Suraindiran Communications Coordinator Maisara Amira Project Assistant

ACHIEVEMENTS JOIN US Annual Human Rights Report ​ Since 1998, SUARAM has published an annual comprehensive human rights report which documents and monitoring human rights violations in Malaysia. The report has a reputation of being objective and non-partisan and is keenly awaited every year by local as well as foreign human rights watchers; ​ ​ Internal Security Act (ISA) and Emergency Ordinance (EO) repealed ​ SUARAM has campaigned against detention without trial since 1989; The ISA and EO were abolished in 2011 and the last ISA detainee was released in January 2014; ​ Raising public awareness on human rights SUARAM has provided invaluable human rights training & education activities to countless students, youth, lawyers, journalists, urban settlers, workers, indigenous peoples, community groups and the general public; ​ Reform of Criminal Procedure Code SUARAM campaigned for better protection of rights of detainees. The Criminal Procedure Code was amended in 2007 which led to the shortening of the period of remand orders, the inadmissibility of cautioned statements to prevent self-incrimination, and better access to family and lawyers; ​ Annual licensing for print media abolished and promise of abolition of Sedition Act SUARAM campaigned for freedom of expression and press freedom. This resulted in the removal of the “absolute discretion” of the Home Minister in accepting or rejecting media license applications; the repeal of annual license renewal of print media and the promise of prime minister Najib Razak to abolish the Sedition Act in 2012 ​ Defending freedom of assembly SUARAM has provided urgent legal support for those who have been unjustifiably and arbitrarily arrested. Section 27 of the Police Act requiring a police permit for public assembly was abolished in 2012 ​ Establishment of coroner’s courts in 13 states SUARAM campaigned for police accountability in the rising cases of deaths in custody and this led to the establishment of coroner’s courts in April 2014 to deal cases of death in custody cases. SUARAM continues to campaign for the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC); ​ Improved independence and effectiveness of SUHAKAM SUARAM’s campaigns led to two parliamentary amendments to the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act in 2009 and this has made the appointment process of commissioners more transparent and has resulted in the appointment of more independent candidates; ​ Holding government accountable for Scorpene submarines scandal SUARAM exposed the suspected corruption in the Scorpene submarine deal and made an official complaint to the French courts in 2009; this led to protracted harassment by the government in 2012-13, including the threat of deregistration ​ Human rights mainstreamed in public policies SUARAM has contributed to research and publication on public policies and peoples’ history, notably on arms spending and energy policies, May 13, Kampung Medan, the independence movement, People Before Profits, Policing the Malaysian Police, the ISA and Operation Lalang ​ ​ ​ ​

RIGHT TO JUSTICE JOIN US Ever since the formation of SUARAM, we have made it one of our priorities to check the abuse of powers by the police and other enforcement agencies in Malaysia. We have done this through careful monitoring and documentation, assisting victims and their families, enlisting legal assistance, publishing their cases in press conferences and urgent appeals. ​ The cases that are monitored and documented by the Right to Justice desk include police abuse and brutality, torture and death in custody, arbitrary detention and chained remand, fatal police shooting and enforced disappearance. ​ ​Cases of abuse of power by the police continued in 2020, following the pattern and prevailing issues documented through the years by SUARAM. Predictably, the sudden change in government in 2020 has not resulted in any notable reform of the Royal Malaysian Police, and many of the abuses committed by the latter remain unaddressed. ​

Malaysia: States must call out violations of civic freedoms at upcoming UN review CIVICUS, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), and SUARAM call upon states to use the upcoming human rights review of Malaysia at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to call out its ongoing failure to fully implement previous recommendations related to civic freedoms. On 25 January 2024, Malaysia’s human rights record is going to be reviewed at the 45th Working Group Session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Find out more WORKING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS RIGHT TO TRIAL Read More FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Read More RIGHT TO JUSTICE Read More PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT Read More DOCUMENTATION & MONITORING Read More SUARAM YOUTH Read More Human Rights Abuses Recorded To Date. PRESS STATEMENTS CAMPAIGN MATERIALS Contact Us Submit Thanks for submitting!

BACKGROUND What does SUARAM mean by Human Rights? ​ SUARAM (Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd) is guided by the Memorandum and Articles of Association pursuant to the Companies Act, 1965. We believe in the universality, interdependence and indivisibility of all rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural. ​ SUARAM specializes in civil and political rights such as educational programs and trainings on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association; right to fair trial; freedom from torture, extra-judicial killings and cruel punishment; public accountability and genuine democracy-building. Together with other civil organisation and group partners who work on economic, social and cultural rights in Malaysia, we are able to collectively and comprehensively address all human rights. Is SUARAM partisan? ​ SUARAM is an independent and a human rights organisation which is not linked to any other agencies. We will always be on the side of victims of human rights violations, the poor and the oppressed, without fear or favour. Our mandate is enshrined in the Malaysian Human Rights Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Thus SUARAM’s main objective is the protection and realisation of human rights in Malaysia regardless of the government-of-the-day. How is SUARAM funded? ​ SUARAM is funded by donations and grants from public and private sources. However, the most important source comes from private donations, local fund-raising events, sales of books and campaign merchandise. Funds are accepted strictly on the basis of non-interference of donors. How does SUARAM operate? ​ As SUARAM (Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd) is registered under the Companies Act of Malaysia, our operations and activities complies with our registration under the law. ​ ​

Events SUARAM National Speech Competition

RIGHT TO TRIAL JOIN US Detention without trial coloured Malaysia's history, from the infamous Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) to the less-well-known-but-often-used Emergency (Public Order and Crime Prevention) Ordinance 1969 (EO). It has gotten to the point where enforcement agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Police see such laws as necessary to maintain law and order. Despite repealing the ISA and EO, the Government of Malaysia re-introduces new laws that permit detention without trial-- replacing the 'void' created by the absence of the ISA and EO. These new laws make up what we call the "Security Laws" today: ​ Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), The Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA), Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (POTA), and Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 (DDA). ​ ​ SOSMA permits 28 days of detention without trial. In comparison, POCA and POTA permit a period up to 60 days; consisting of the initial arrest for 24 hours, an extension of 21 days with a statement in writing signed by a police officer (not below the rank of Inspector), and a further extension of 38 days with a statement in writing signed by a police officer (not below the rank of Assistant Superintendent). In contrast, DDA is almost similar to the former ISA, which grants the Royal Malaysian Police power to detain an individual for not more than 60 days for drug-related offenses. Following the preliminary 60 days of detention, the Home Ministry can detain the individual for an additional period of no more than two years. ​ ​The Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration had promised to abolish SOSMA. In conjunction with this promise, SUARAM ran a campaign called Gerakan Mansuh SOSMA (Abolish SOSMA movement) to bring the administration's commitment to fruition. Unfortunately, throughout PH's short term in government, they remained quiet and failed to achieve this. ​ The possible amendments to SOSMA as mooted by the former Minister of Home Affairs during November 2019 appear to be a dead letter given the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan’s government in February 2020. The same also applies to the Pakatan Harapan’s Attorney General’s promise to amend a provision in SOSMA to enable courts to grant bail to the accused. ​ On top of campaigns and advocacy programs, the Right to Trial desk also receives cases concerning these security laws. In 2020, the use of draconian security laws shows no sign of abating even during a pandemic year. All four laws that permit detention without trial continued to be applied and abused. ​ ​